Embalming apparatus



P 25, 1951 e. G. MITCHELL 2,569,016

EMBALMING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 7, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .(iAV/N G.MITCHELL INVENTOR.

H 'Two BY A F8 NJ Him: 5 24 2O ATTORNEY.

p 1951 G. G. MITCHELL 2,569,016

EMBALMING APPARATUS Filed Jan. '7, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GAVIN MITCHELLINVENTORV ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 25, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE EMBALMING APPARATUSGavin G. Mitchell, Decatur, Ill.

Application January 7, 1946, Serial No. 639,552

6 Claims.

for embalming dead human bodies, and more particularly to apparatus andprocesses employed in aspirating the arteries and veins and injectingtherein the embalming fluid.

The primary object of my invention is to provide means of embalmingwhich will enable several embalmers to work simultaneously with greaterconvenience and efliciency than has been possible with apparatusheretofore available.

More specifically, my invention contemplates the provision of a singlepower operated vacuum and compression unit with automatic vacuum andpressure controls, a plurality of fluid mixing tanks associatedtherewith, and a distribution system to communicate an automaticallyregulated vacuum and pressure to selected mixing tanks and thence toaspirating and injection instrumentalities at a plurality of embalmingtables so that several individual embalming operations may be conductedsimultaneously.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of a compactvacuum and compression unit with mixing tanks and a distribution systemwhich may be incorporated in new or old preparation rooms, and which maybe built within the walls of newly erected funeral establishments, thevacuum and compression unit being of such assembled form as to fitwithin a paneled cabinet with the necessary control elements located onthe outside of the panel, the pipes of the distribution system beingeasily concealed in the floor, wall or ceiling.

Further objects and advantages of my improved apparatus and process willappear from the following description and the accompanying elevation ofthe mixing tank, and

Fig. 7 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the vacuum andcompression cylinder in cross section.

Referring to the drawings by numerals in z which like numerals designatelike parts in the several views, I0 is .a table upon which is mountedthe vacuum and pressure generating mechanisms comprising an electricmotor ll, capacitor l2, reduction gear I3, crank I4, connecting rod I5,and piston l6 mounted for reciprocal movement in cylinder I1. A pipe [8communicates through a check valve [9 with a vacuum tank 20.v Anadjustable ,vacuum relief valve 2| communicates with the interior of thevacuum tank. A pipe 22 communicates through check valve 23 with acompression tank 24. An adjustable pressure relief valve 25 communicateswith the interior of the compression tank. Thus it will be seen that thesame, end of cylinder I! is in communication with both the vacuum tank20 and the compression tank 24. It will now be explained how apredetermined vacuum and a predetermined pressure in tanks may begenerated.

As shown in Fig. 3, an air intake valve 26 of any suitable design is incommunication with the interior of cylinder I! at a point intermediatethe ends of the cylinder. As shown more clearly in Fig. 7, the end 21of'the cylinder I1 is open to permit the expulsion of the air from thatend. As shown, the piston is at its extreme outward position, and theinner end of the piston has cleared the air intake port of valve 26which broke the vacuum resulting from the outward stroke of piston l6.However, the vacuum created in tank 20 is held therein by check valve19.

Now, upon the return stroke of the piston, air having been admitted tothe inner end of cylinder [1, will be compressed into tank 24 and thepressure therein will be held by check valve 23. A vacuum gage 28 and apressure gage 29 are installed in communication with the interiors oftanks 20 and 24, respectively, so that the'vacuum and pressure reliefvalves may beaccurately adjusted to the predetermined vacuum andpressure, respectively.

Direct pipes 30 and 3| and branch pipes 32 and 33 extend, respectively,from vacuum tank 20 and compression tank 24 to-aplurality of fluidmixing tanks 34, which are preferably locatednear the individualembalming tables. Each mixing tank has a shut-off valve 35 on the vacuumline and a similar shut-off valve 36 on the pressure line. Communicatingwith tank 34 is a supply pipe 3'! leading from a convenient source ofwater supply, having a shut-ofi valve 38 therein adjacent the tank.-Another pipe 39 having an open intake end is also connected to tank 34,and this pipe has a shut-01f valve 40.

opening said stop cocks.

As more clearly illustrated in Fig. 6, each fluid mixing tank 34 has inits bottom end a fitting 4|, this fitting having a socket 4| in itsouter end, an enlarged recess 42 in its inner end and a reduced orifice43 connecting said socket and recess. A pipe 44 extends from socket 4|to a transparent fluid level gage 45, the upper end of which isconnected by pipe 46 into tank 34. Projecting through a fitting 41 inthe upper end of tank 34 is a pipe 48, the lower end of which extendsslightly into recess 42. A float valve 49, controlled by a float 50 isconnected in pipe 48 near its lower end.

Pipe 48 has at its outer end a branch connection 5| with a stop cock 52controlling a hose 53 connected to one pipe of injection instrument 54,and another stop cock 55 controlling a hose 56 connected to another typeof injection instrument 51.

A branch pipe 5.8 connected to a vacuum line 30 has at its outer end astop cook 59 controlling a .hose 68 connected to an aspirator 6|, whichin turn is connected to an aspirating instrument 62, having an outletinto container 53.

In beginning operation of the vacuum and pressure generating unit,valves 35, 36, 38 and 40 are all closed. Motor II is started, whichcreates a partial vacuum in tank and pressure in tank 24. Relief valves2| and are then adjusted to the predetermined vacuum and pressure asrequired for the embalming process, the vacuum and pressure in therespective tanks being shown by gages 28 and 29,.

After the vacuum and pressure have reached the points desired, vacuumvalve v is opened to create a vacuum in mixing tank 34. Next, a bottleof concentrated embalming fluid (not shown) is placed over the open endof pipe 39,

and valve opened. The vacuum in tank 34.

' ment 62 stop cock 59 is opened, thus placing the instrument in directcommunication with vacuum tank 29 to withdraw the blood from the bodyinto container 83.

To begin the injectionoperation the embalmer first opens the valve 36 toadmit pressure. from tank 24 into mixing tank 34, and then opens stopcocks 52 and 55 to permit air trapped in pipe 48 to'escape to theatmosphere. As soon as fluid appears at the outlets of injectioninstruments 54 and 51 thestop cocks are closed until the saidinstruments have been properly inserted in the body. Injection-thenbegins immediately upon It should be understood, however, that when onlyone injection instrument is inserted, the stop cock associated with thatinstrument is the only one opened.

One important feature of my invention is that both the aspiratingoperation and the injection operation may be conducted in one body atthe same time. This is rendered possible by the direct connection of thevacuum tank 20 with the aspirating instrument G2 which enables theembalmer to continue this operation while proceding with the injectionoperation.

As hereinbefore explained, several operating tables may be in use at thesame time, all being supplied with vacuum and pressure from the singleunit, and without any interference with one another. Moreover, the pipeswhich transmit the vacuum and pressure to the several operating, tablesmay be so concealed in walls, floors or ceiling, that only theconnections are exposed at the various tables. Thus, with the vacuum andpressure unit concealed in a niche or cabinet in the wall, the floor ofthe preparation room is left entirely unobstructed with equipment otherthan the essential operating tables, and it will appear readily evidentthat the motor, cylinder,

' capacitor etc., may be concealed in a suitable cabinet apart from theoperating room and adapted for convenient accessibility. This effectsgreat economy in space, and also enables the several operators to workwith great convenience and efficiency.

When the fluid in one of the mixing tanks 34 is exhausted the float 50will be lowered, thus closing valve 49 and shutting off the pressurecommunication to injection instruments 54 and 51. This preventscompressed air from entering the body being embalmed.

Automatic regulation of the vacuum in tank '28 and the pressure in tank24, insures gentle action of the aspirating and injection operations,and precludes the possibility of collapse or bloating of the body beingembalmed.

As heretofore explained the illustrations in the drawings are schematiconly, and it is to be understood that changes or modifications in thevarious elements comprising my improved ap paratus may be made withinthe scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit ofmy invention.

Having described my invention and the novel features which I desire tocover by Letters Patent, I claim:

1. In .an embalming .apparatus of the character described, incombination, a mixing tank for water and embalmin liquid, a source ofwater supply connected to said tank, a source of embalming liquidconnected to said tank, a vacuum tank communicating with said mixingtank and providing an air exhaust for drawing water and embalming liquidinto said mixing tank, a compressed air storage tank providing a sourceof air under pressure connected to the mixing tank for ejecting amixture of water and embalming liquid therefrom, manually controlledaspirating means connected intermediate the vacuum and mixing tanks andoperable by said air exhaust for withdrawing and receivin fluid from abody to be embalmed, manually controlled injector means connected to themixing tank for conveying a liquid mixture therefrom under pressure andinjecting the liquid mixture into a body from which fluid has beenwithdrawn by said aspirating means, and means for intermittently andalternately creating a partial vacuum in the vacuum tank and compressingair in the air storage tank respectively. v

2. In an embalming apparatus of the character described, in combination,in accordance with claim 1, in which each of the connections leading tothe mixing tank is provided with manually operated means for controllingthe passage of fluid therethrough.

3. In an embalming apparatus of the class described, in combination, amixin tank for water and embalming liquid, a source of water supplyconnected to said tank, asource of embalming liquid connected to saidtank, a vacuum tank communicating with said mixing tank and providing anair exhaust for drawing water and embalming r liquid into said mixingtank, a compressed air storage tank providing a source of air underipresoperated means for controlling the passage of.

fluid therethrough.

5. In an embalming apparatus of the class described, in combination,- amixin tank for water and embalming liquid, a source of water supplyconnected to said mixing, tank, a source of embalming liquid connectedtosaid mixing tank, a vacuum tank communicating with said mixing tankand providing an air exhaust for drawing water and embalming liquid intosaid; mixing tank, a compressed air storage tank providing a source ofair under pressure connected to the mixing tank for ejecting a mixtureof water and liquid therefrom and a pump for creating a vacuum in thevacuum tank and compressing air in the air storage tank respectively.

6. In an embalming apparatus of the class de cribed, in combination, amixing tank for water and embalming liquid, a source ofwatersupplyconnected to said mixing tank, a source of embalming liquid connected tosaid mixingftank, a vacuum tank communicating with saidmixing tankthrough piping and providing an air exhaust for drawing water andembalming liquid into said mixing tank, a compressed air storage tankproviding a source of air under pressure connected to the mixing tankthrough" piping for ejecting a mixture of water and liquid therefrom anda pump for creating a vacuum in the vacuum tank and compressing air inthe air storage tank respectively, said piping connection between thevacuum tank and the mixing tank having a fitting for obtaining vacuumfrom said pi e,

GAVIN G. MITCHELL.

REFERENCES CITED.

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 737,336 Cain Aug.*25, 1903995,248 Gildea June 13, 1911 1,323,864 Human Dec. 2, 1919 1,349,766 HuntAug... 17, 1920 1,829,144 Kaiser Oct. 27, 1931 2,118,704 GrontkowskiMay, 24, 1938 2,203,832 Malburg June 11, 1940 2,232,862 Moody Feb. 25,1941 2,232,863 Moody Feb. 25, 1941 2,252,624 Gilmore et a1 Aug. 12, 19412,388,337 Moody Nov. 6, 1945

